IF YOU ARE BUILDING A HOUSE IN A MASTER PLAN COMMUNITY, IT’S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE INDIVIDUAL TEAM MEMBERS THAT WILL HELP YOU MOVE IN AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
You’ve planned your new home for a long time. You’ve visualized how it would look and browsed through magazines and internet sites for ideas. Now the time has come to actually make your dream come true.
Building a new home is exciting, but it is also filled with many decisions and details. It takes a team of trained professionals focused on your needs to get the job done well and in a timely fashion. The process often consist of one trade contractor completing a portion of the home, then handing off to the next contractor–all under the supervision of your builder’s construction superintendent. He or she will manage these handoffs, ensure quality work, and make sure that all parties involved adhere to the schedule.
To understand how your construction team operates, you must understand who the key figures are. Assuming that your home is being built in a typical master-planned community, the first person that makes up your team is a developer. Read on to find out more.
THE DEVELOPER
A developer is a real estate professional who is constantly looking for land that’s suitable for creating a new home neighborhood. Once the land is acquired, a developer creates an overall plan for the community that includes the type of homebuyers to target and what types of new homes to build. Based on this information, the developer creates a detailed master plan that identifies the size, type, and price range of new homes to be built as well as what amenities will be offered in the community. Once the developer has procured all approvals and prepared the neighborhood for site building, he or she begins selling finished lots to approved home builders.
THE ARCHITECT
Once lots are available for purchase, buyers can begin working with an architect to develop home plans that complement the available lots and meet the community’s specifications for square footage and price. The architect can customize the home plans according to the desires of his or her client.
THE BUILDING FIRM
Selecting a builder for your home is a key decision. This firm is responsible for every phase of the design and construction of your new home, so you need to feel comfortable working with them. Your builder’s staff will manage all of the trade contractors. They will also monitor the progress and quality of your home each step of the way.
THE DESIGN CONSULTANT
Now the fun begins. Once you’ve signed a purchase contract, you can work with a builder’s design center consultant or your own selected interior designer to choose the style, color and details of your home. This will make your home come alive with your distinctive personal taste and style. From flooring, paint and fabric choices to cabinetry, countertops, and appliances, a design consultant is a knowledgeable expert that will record your choices and work with the construction superintendent to see that your finished home is perfect.
THE CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT OR BUILDER
This is the person that actually turns all of your selections into a home. He or she works directly with each trade contractor, building products suppliers and construction employees to ensure that schedules are met and the quality of the job is upheld.
Your construction superintendent will likely be your point of contact for visiting your house while it’s being built. Builders often set up times for you to tour the home during key points of construction, such as a walk-through at the framing or pre-drywall stage. This is a good time to ask your superintendent questions about energy efficient products and materials being used, and discuss any final requests while building is still underway.
SUB-CONTRACTORS
You’ll see these workers on your home site, but they are hired by the Builder to complete various tasks from sheetrock installation and tile to driveways and pool decks. Your builder has a list of contractors that have met his or her standards.
INSPECTORS
During the construction process local building code enforcement will come and inspect the home. A final inspection is performed before you move in.
Your builder and his team will also inspect the home along the way to ensure it is completed to the company’s quality standards. In addition, city or county building inspectors will check that the various systems in your home meet local building codes.
Once the final inspection is complete, you are ready to move in and enjoy your home. Your builder will happily provide the key to the house you’ve been dreaming of!
